Conversation with No. 1 fan of local bowling worth time and effort
Sometimes it takes me awhile to get things done, but, eventually, the task is completed. It may not always be in the asker’s time frame, but it will get done. Just ask my wife about our bathroom project. She will claim that I am the king of procrastination. I look at it as prioritizing. The other night I checked one more item off my to do list. I met with the undisputed No. 1 fan of bowling in southwest Pennsylvania, Mr. Don Davison of Brownsville, Pa. The first thing that Don did was hit me with his disappointment in taking so long to set up this interview. He was well within his rights since he called me in October. It was not long, and we got past that issue.
Don rightfully deserves the title of the No. 1 bowling fan. As we worked our way into the interview this bright-eyed senior bubbled with excitement as he pulled note after note out of his shirt pocket. His penciled papers read like a “Who’s Who” of bowling in southwest Pennsylvania. This man truly enjoys the sport and I think with some prodding he could recall just about every game he has witnessed in which there was some anomaly.
One such story is about two of his sons, Paul and David. The two siblings were bowling in the same game down in Nashville. Paul was working on a great game and finished with a 290. Just when you think things are going your way that would ever expect your brother to come along and choose that night to bowl a 300. I bet that was an interesting ride home.
Talking to Don, you get the strong impression that his family is made up of more than just his own children. He looks to many bowlers, especially the up-and-coming, with a fatherly guidance or a brotherly admiration. Two young men, Chuck and Dominic DeCarlo, are on Don’s list of bowlers to watch. His good friend Doris Moffitt, a senior bowler herself, is a regular on Gudac Lanes and according to Don shows no sign of giving into the effects of time. His buddy Bill Christner “the spare maker” shares and equal enthusiasm for the sport and is bowling at an age when most would give up their lane time.
The only night not consumed with bowling for Don is Wednesday night. He takes a break from bowling to spend time with the guys around the pool table at the California Gun Club.
This is one of those times when I wish I had more space for the column. It is not often you have a chance to sit across from someone with so many stories and observations. I have little doubt Don’s information will filter into future columns as I pursue some of his contacts.
Unfortunately Don was forced to give up the sport of bowling several years ago. Like many, arthritis and injuries from the past tend to find one sooner or later. Mr. Davison did not give up with out a fight. His last game rounded out with a 234. One of those pieces of paper in his pocket was the score sheet from Gudac Lanes of his last game. There are few athletes that can go out at the top of their game. The ones that do are the wise and courageous that we remember for years to come.
Joe Gudac reported some great scores off Gudac Lanes. Ed Floyd rolled a 680 and Justin Huey followed with 672. Not far behind these high rollers comes Bubby Groves with a 661 and for the women, Cindy Floyd turned in a 521 to finish off the report.
Yough Lanes in Connellsville sent over a familiar name Justin Malik. I have had the opportunity to report some excellent scores by Justin in the past and this week is no different. Justin catches our attention this week with a 727 series.
Justin shows up again in a report from Manor Lanes. On the lanes at Manor, Justin turned in a 258 in the Monday Doubles and joining Justin was Dave Show with a 267. In the Tuesday Mix at Manor Bob Sible Jr. scored a 279 to lead the report from Hopwood.
There is one more group of bowlers to report on but unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to go through all of the scores. The PSBA Championship posted the scores for the recent tournament action. In the posting are several local bowlers. Next week we will highlight some of their scores.
To close I go back to Don Davison, I asked Don what keeps you going back to the lanes? His reply was simple, “they are my friends, I just like to be around bowlers, and they are good people.”
I could not agree more Don. Everyone, have a happy and safe Fourth of July.
Brian Casey can be reached at brianwcasey@hotmail.com.